FAITH OVER SIGHT by Moriah Pender
This month marked two years of walking through our journey with infertility. Two years, 24 months, 730 days. I know compared to some, our journey at this point is a lot shorter than others. No matter if it’s 1, 2, 5, or 10+ years, each month seems like an eternity.
I felt led to blog about our journey because I realize it is hard for Christians in particular to walk through this. As Christians, we are taught to always trust God no matter what. Never doubt. Never question God.
So, what if you find yourself doubting and questioning Him? Does that mean you are any less of a Christian? Have I trusted God throughout this entire process? Yes. I cognitively know He won’t fail me and His timing is perfect. Have I also had times when I doubted His timing and questioned what He was doing? Absolutely.
On top of the pain of what we are going through, I then felt guilty for having these thoughts and questions. After last week and the roller coaster of emotions that came with it, I couldn’t help but feel mad. I asked my husband JV, if it was okay to be mad at God.
I don’t know, is it??
JUST BECAUSE JESUS ISN’T MOVING HOW YOU WANT HIM TO DOESN’T MEAN HE ISN’T THERE.
I knew what I felt, but I also knew the God I served. It would be so easy to get mad and give up.
I have all these thoughts of, “God, we would raise our children in a Godly, loving home, why does ‘______’ get to have a child and we don’t? I know they aren’t going to raise them in a Godly home!”
But throughout the questions, I know God is faithful. How can I say that when we haven’t gotten what we wanted yet? Because He’s done it time and time again.
JV preached a while back on spiritual amnesia. He explained that spiritual amnesia is when you get so caught up in your current situation, you forget about God’s previous blessings. This truth hit me as I was listening. I realized that I myself was walking in spiritual amnesia. I had forgotten how time and time again God worked things out the way only He could.
This is why I am writing everything about this journey down. I know that down the road, when I have my “promise,” I don’t want to have spiritual amnesia the next time we are faced with a difficult situation.
“For we walk by FAITH, and not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Celebrate what God is Doing- Poland, March 2022
As our international work resumed after COVID, it warmed our hearts to begin serving once again in an area of our ministry that is very important to our organization.
In March, Battlefield sent a team to facilitate a retreat in Poland. The conference was planned before the 2020 pandemic, but the postponement meant that our team arrived in the area while war was waged in neighboring countries. The team prayerfully decided to go forward with the trip and many hearts were blessed as a result.
During the retreat, we served 30 couples and over a dozen singles, as well as an additional 100-120 participants in breakout sessions at the subsequent conference. Part of our team ministered directly to the children and youth. Our teaching time focused on building relationships and knowing your heart to develop healthy relationships. In true Battlefield form, we sought to meet these folks according to their needs. Between the retreat days and the conference, we met with people for individual counseling and coaching. We were honored to serve an organization that is doing the Lord’s work in hard areas of the world.
Changes in the Office:
Kevin Fitzsimmons joined our counseling team in the Rome office in January 2022. The timing of Kevin’s arrival was perfect, filling a much-needed role working with adolescent males, young men, and young couples. He and his wife, Katie, welcomed their second child in March. Kevin and his family are a joy to have as part of the Battlefield family!
Read More About Kevin
Wedding Announcement:
Mr. & Mrs. Phillips
Counselor Sarah Freeman was recently wed to Andy Phillips, son of founders Nathan and Jane Phillips. Sarah and Andy have led Trips to Enrich for Battlefield and served together at international events for many years. After 20 years of friendship and adventuring, they are now lifelong adventure buddies from here on out. We were thrilled to celebrate their union on September 17th.
Support Battlefield through AmazonSmile
Battlefield Ministries values donor support to fill in gaps on our sliding fee scale. Our community of supporters enables us to provide services to people who might not otherwise afford it.
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AmazonSmile helps the non-profits of your choice receive a percentage of sales you make. Simply select Battlefield Ministries, Inc on “Your Charity” list.
Here are some helpful hints/info to get you connected:
When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
How do I support Battlefield by shopping with AmazonSmile?
Use this direct link to support Battlefield Ministries on your web browser. If you want to shop on your phone, you must also activate it in the Amazon Shopping app.
How do I activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app?
To activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app, simply tap the menu and select “Gifting and Charity.” Select “AmazonSmile” and follow the on-screen instructions. You must enable notifications to use AmazonSmile in on-app shopping.
Can I change my charity?
Yes, you can change your charity at any time. Simply visit smile.amazon.com/change, or tap “AmazonSmile” within the Settings menu in the Amazon Shopping app on your phone and select “Change your Charity.” Your AmazonSmile purchases made after changing your charity will count towards your newly selected charity.
Ways to support our ministry
Pray for:
- International work that reaches out to the lost and supports missionaries who are currently serving on the field.
- Trips to Enrich that uplift the Body of Christ in sequestered settings. Pray the LORD uses Battlefield to recharge, restore, and refresh men and women on our trips and retreats.
- Counseling and coaching staff who minister to clients daily in the office.
- Financial support to continue ministering in broken places.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
This looks great!
Thanks for all the work in it 🙂